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Epidermal Nevus

definition

Epidermal nevi are hamartomas arising from the embryonic ectoderm whose pluri potentialcells differentiate not only into keratinocytes but also into the cell forming epidermal appendages. The lesions may be deeply or slightly pigmented, have either a unilateral or bilateral distribution, and often favour the extremities in what appears to be a dermatomal distribution. They may also appear on the oral mucosa and ocular conjunctiva. Onset is usually at birth but may also occur in the second or third decade.